Turmeric essential oil is derived from a flowering plant of the ginger family, and it’s sourced from India and Nepal. As a spice, turmeric is a powerhouse. As an oil; it’s even better!
This article looks at the benefits of taking turmeric essential oil, and turmeric uses.
Turmeric oil is a strong relaxant and balancer to the body. It’s a staple of Ayurvedic medicine, a form of traditional healing (1). According to Ayurvedic medicine, this incredible herbal remedy is meant to support the imbalance of Kapha body type.
Kapha lends structure, solidity, and cohesiveness to all things, and is therefore associated primarily with the earth and water elements. Kapha also embodies the watery energies of love and compassion.
Turmeric has a lengthy history as a medicine, spice and coloring agent. The medicinal vale of turmeric essential oil is extremely impressive as a natural health agent – one that appears to have some of the most promising anti-cancer effects around. (2)
What’s more, turmeric oil’s extensive use in traditional medicine has raised significant interest in its health benefits.
Turmeric is well-known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-malarial, anti-tumor, anti-proliferative, anti-protozoal and anti-aging properties. (3)
Turmeric benefits also come from its health-promoting vitamins, phenols and other alkaloids.
Curcumin is the key active ingredient in turmeric.
Turmeric is a staple for your daily health routine and when taken internally promotes a healthy immune function and response.
IMPORTANT
- Always purchase turmeric oil that is 100 percent certified pure therapeutic grade.
- Only ingest high quality turmeric oil that is certified pure therapeutic grade. Use sparingly in small doses.
SUMMARY Turmeric is used to treat many health problems, such as skin and digestive issues. It contains the active ingredient curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Turmeric and curcumin have medicinal properties that provide many health benefits (4).
Here are some of the benefits of taking turmeric, backed by science:
- Osteoarthritis: Plant compounds in turmeric that include curcumin can reduce markers of inflammation and thus relieve osteoarthritis symptoms (3, 9, 10).
- Obesity: Turmeric and curcumin may inhibit the inflammatory pathway involved in obesity and may help regulate body fat (5, 11, 12).
- Heart disease: Turmeric and curcumin can reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and reduce the risk of heart disease as a result (13).
- Diabetes: Turmeric and curcumin can improve blood sugar metabolism and potentially reduce the effects of diabetes on your body (14, 15, 16).
- Liver: A rat study found that turmeric extract and curcumin were protective against chronic liver damage by helping reduce harmful oxidative stress (17).
- Cancer: Though research is still in its early stages, turmeric and curcumin may reduce the activity of colon and other cancer cells (18, 19, 20).
- Antifungal: Turmeric and curcumin can disrupt fungal cell membranes and could be used in conjunction with fungal medication for better outcomes (21, 22, 23).
- Antibacterial: Turmeric and curcumin have strong antibacterial effects. They can reduce the growth of many disease-causing bacteria (23, 24, 25).
SUMMARY Turmeric and curcumin both have antimicrobial and medicinal properties. Studies show that they may benefit people with heart disease, osteoarthritis and obesity.
Precautions When Using Essential Oils
Only Use Quality Oils: The quality of essential oils available on the market is widely varied. Always ensure you are using high quality essential oils, preferably certified pure therapeutic grade. Always purchase essential oils from a trusted source. Cheaper is not always better.
Dilute: It is recommended to use an organic carrier oil like coconut, olive, jojoba, almond or argan to dilute prior to putting essential oils on the body. Using a carrier oil aids in absorption, does not affect the potency of the essential oil, and increases the cost-effectiveness of using essential oils for health.
Turmeric Uses
